NATIONAL STATISTICS

* For the year 2000, the ILO projects that there will be 30,000 economically active children between the ages of 10-14, representing 14.39% of this age group. Of these children, 14,000 are girls and 15,000 are boys. (ILO, International Labour Office - Bureau of Statistics, Economically Active Population 1950-2010, STAT Working Paper, ILO 1997)

* 37,000 or 11.7% of 0-14 year olds are economically active. (ILO, Yearbook of Labour Statistics, 1998)

* In 1995, there were 32,000 economically active children between the ages of 10-14, representing 16.92% of this age group. Of these children, 15,000 were girls and 17,000 were boys. (ILO, International Labour Office - Bureau of Statistics, Economically Active Population 1950-2010, STAT Working Paper, ILO 1997)

GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

* There is general agreement among the Labour Commissioner, officials of the Ministry of Local Government, Lands, and Housing, and UNICEF that the child labour problem is limited to young children in remote areas who work as cattle tenders, maids, or babysitters. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000, February 2001)

* Child labour is limited to young children in remote areas who work as cattle tenders, maids, or babysitters. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000)

* Child labour is not perceived to be a significant problem, although research on the issue is limited. (EI, EI Barometer on Human and Trade Union Rights in the Education Sector, 1998)

GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

* An undisclosed number of Zambian girls were ferried to Botswana, headed for the sex tourism industry in other countries. (CATW Fact Book, citing African Child Watch, "Child Trafficking Takes Root in Southern Africa, Says Group", SAPA DPA, 1 September 1997)

* Recruitment into the armed forces is on a voluntary basis for over 18 years of age. (CSUCS, Africa Report, April 1999)

NOTES ON GOVERNMENT FORCES

* While there is currently no evidence of under-18s in government armed forces, the lack of formal age qualification for volunteers indicates that under-18s could be enlisted. (CSUCS, Global Report on Child Soldiers - 2001, 12 June 2001)

* There is no evidence of underage recruitment taking place. (CSUCS, Africa Report, April 1999)

* In September 1998, Botswana sent troops to Lesotho as part of the peacekeeping mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). There is no evidence that any underage soldiers were among the Botswana contingent. (CSUCS, Africa Report, April 1999)